Teal in danger: Less than 100 breeding pairs in Austria!

Teal in danger: Less than 100 breeding pairs in Austria!

The teal (Anas crecca), once one of the most common swimming duck species in Austria, is now facing extinction. According to the bird protection organization BirdLife Austria, there are currently fewer than 100 breeding pairs in the country, making the species highly endangered. The smallest duck in Europe, which is only 34-38 cm tall, prefers to live in flat, densely vegetated bank areas, where it finds food such as plants and small vertebrates and spends its breeding season. Tragically, the habitats of these fascinating birds are under serious threat from recreational activities, climate change and wetland drainage ooe.orf.at reported.

The teal's dramatic situation led to it being named Bird of the Year 2025. The choice is intended to draw attention to the urgency of helping the species' few remaining habitats. BirdLife Austria is calling for urgent action to restore damaged wetlands to increase this little duck's chances of survival. In recent decades, natural habitats such as moors and natural lakes have shrunk significantly, endangering the teal's demands on its environment. An example of their return to natural waters is the lakes of the Seewinkel, where up to 23,000 birds were counted during the migration in September, reports birdlife.at.

The dramatic population development of the teal reflects the general impoverishment of wildlife in Austria and shows how important it is to preserve and restore natural habitats. Their survival depends on the support of remaining ecological niches. The ongoing endangerment of these little beauties requires immediate and comprehensive efforts to protect biodiversity in the country while finding sustainable solutions to deal with the challenges of climate change. This is the only way to ensure that the teal does not become a reminder of better times.